Mr. Josh Harris Jr.

Mr. Josh Harris Jr. entered into eternal rest November 28, 2011 in his home surrounded by love. The Bainbridge, Georgia Native was born on November 14, 1934 to the late Josh Harris Sr. and Clara M. Sheffield Harris. He attended Hutto Elementary School of Bainbridge Ga. From 1940-1946 and attended the Washington Junior High School from 1946-1947, then the family moved to Colquitt, Georgia in 1949, where he attended Bethel High School from 1949-1953. Josh advanced to Savannah State College choosing elementary education as his Major and completed this training in 1957 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. His first teaching experience was in 1958 in Colquitt Georgia where he taught 8th Grade U.S. & Georgia History and coached Boys and Girls basketball after school. For six years. The summer of 1959, he attended a Science Institute for elementary Teachers at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga. In 1964, he attended a Reading Institute for elementary Teachers at Claflin College, Orangeboro, SC. He attended a Math Workshop in 1966 at Kansas State University and the University of Alabama. In 1964, he was selected as Teacher of the Year by the faculty of Thirty-Eight Street elementary School, Savannah, Georgia. In 1964-1971, he taught Social Studies at Hodge Elementary School. In 1968, he was the happy recipient of two national foundation awards in the area of Mathematics. In 1971-1974, he taught at Bartlett Jr. High School Savannah, Ga. In 1971, he enrolled in The Savannah Graduate Center which consisted of Savannah State College and Armstrong State College, working jointly to have a Graduate-Center in the Coastal area of Georgia. He graduated from the center in 1973 with a Masters in Political Science and a Minor in Criminal and Civil Law. He retired from the Chatham County Public school system after 33 years of service Herschel V. Jenkins High School in 1988. His other interests included: Assistant Scout Master in Colquitt, Ga.; Advisory Committee of PTA, Savannah, Ga; Little League Football Team, Savannah, Ga.; Supt. Of Sunday School, Colquitt, Ga.; Sunday School Teacher, Butler Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Ga.; Mens's Council Member of Butler Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Ga.; Member of the Butler Presbyterian Adult Church Choir, Savannah, Ga.; Georgia Association of Educators Member; Chatham Association of Educators Member; National Educators Association Member; NAACP; YMCA; He also enjoyed basketball, football, table tennis, and swimming. He was a member of the Butler Presbyterian Church and attended Thankful Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Late Frederick R. Fearbry. He is preceded in death by his parents, Josh Harris Sr., and Clara Sheffield Harris. Three sisters, Enzie Black, Joshie Mae Choice and Clara Hopps. Two Brothers, Turner Harris and William Bill Harris Sr. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Regina Harris, his previous spouse, Mrs. Laura Jean Harris; Three children, Deborah Harris, Phyliss Harris, and Eric Harris; Two step-daughters, Shanti Harris, and Kristian Colley; A loving devoted niece, Cheryl Kristina James/Atlanta, Ga.; And, four granddaughters, Jasmine Harris, Emerald Harris, Viviana Harris and Kristina K. Walker, a host of other relatives, friends, and co-workers/Colquitt, Decatur, Ga.www.fairhavenfuneralhome.net

Memorial Service: Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel, Savannah, Georgia at 2:00pm December 3, 2011